As a seasoned gamer with years of binge-watching under my belt, I must say that “Dominant Traits” has truly lived up to its name by showcasing the final stages of the battle for New Eden and Big Alice. The return of Melanie, our beloved antagonist turned ally, adds a layer of complexity that keeps me on the edge of my seat.
Title “Preeminent Qualities” implies moving forward towards the climactic episodes leading up to the series conclusion. As the struggle for New Eden and Big Alice emerges as the central plot in the second-to-last episode, “Preeminent Qualities” likewise wisely reintroduces Melanie into the storyline as the series approaches its endgame. Yet, her return is not solely to counter Nima; it also delves into the truth surrounding Melanie’s past.
Primarily speaking, “Dominant Traits” can be seen as an aggressive move, for in New Eden, Nima dispatches his troops to seize control of Big Alice. This strategic action gives him the ability to arm a perilous rocket, capable of annihilating whatever remnants of the world remain.
In this thrilling installment, the inhabitants of New Eden, along with the newly settled Snowpiercer passengers, and Nima’s troops engage in a fierce confrontation for the first time. Remarkably, the climax bears striking resemblance to the early days of Snowpiercer.
Initially, the opening segments of Snowpiercer depicted Layton and his fellow survivors from the rear section as individuals who had leaped onto the train out of desperation when regular passage was beyond their means. This risky move was met with skepticism by Melanie and other passengers, since it threatened to further deplete already scarce resources, even though those in the rear were barely scraping by as it was.
In “Dominant Traits,” once more, people are hastily boarding the train as a means of self-preservation. Yet, this time around, Melanie is collaborating with Layton to guide the survivors onto the train, thwarting Nima’s schemes. There’s a striking resemblance and parallelism at play here that also echoes the initial season’s rebellious spirit, where seizing control of the engine was the focus.
In this case, the stakes are vastly different, striving for control of the engine means protecting the world rather than being housed in a different part of the train. Whether this group will succeed in stopping Nima has yet to be seen.
In addition, a significant subplot unfolds concerning Melanie’s past and its influence on Alex. Their relationship has been complex and marked by periods of closeness followed by separation. For much of Alex’s youth, Mr. Wilford served as her father figure, though eventually, Alex recognized him as evil. Thus, when Layton informs Alex that Wilford is deceased, her response is a mixture of feelings: she can’t blame Layton if he was the one to kill him given Wilford’s actions, she has previously attempted to kill him herself, and she acknowledges the loss of the man who had raised her.
However, it doesn’t take much time before Alex realizes that although Wilford is no more, there’s another paternal figure present in her life. When Melanie discloses that Nima was the sperm donor, making him Alex’s biological father, she gets a chance to make a witty remark about how the two men who shaped her understanding of nature and nurture were actually quite sensible individuals.
Neither Melanie nor Nima like using “father” or “dad.” Instead, they prefer to call Nima the “donor,” regarding his relationship with Alex. For Alex, discussing the truth doesn’t create a strong bond with Nima because he focuses more on their scientific connection than fostering a relationship with his daughter. On the contrary, Nima is honest about not trying to manipulate Alex into being part of their family, and Alex remains close to Melanie and Layton.
Even in a brief moment, Layton acknowledges Alex’s unwavering devotion to their shared cause, which reinforces the bonds between characters in Snowpiercer. Though Melanie has at times assisted Layton and they have generally been allies, Layton seems certain about Alex’s loyalty. He directly expresses that while Melanie’s intentions or allegiances may be uncertain, Layton is confident that Alex stands with the people of New Eden.
As we approach the final installment, all the events have reached their peak, leaving us eager to discover where everyone’s lives are headed next and how their stories will conclude.
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2024-09-17 00:14